Director Circle of an Ellipse

Rarely Tested

Director Circle of an Ellipse

For:

$$\frac{x^2}{a^2}+\frac{y^2}{b^2}=1$$

the director circle is:

$$x^2+y^2=a^2+b^2$$

Usage

- Used to find the locus of points from which perpendicular tangents can be drawn to the ellipse.

Question 1

Pairs of perpendicular tangents are drawn to the ellipse $$\frac{x^2}{9} + \frac{y^2}{16} = 1$$ from an external point $$T$$. What is the radius of the locus traced by point $$T$$?

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